A Cyclopaedia of Canadian Biography: Being Chiefly Men of the Time / A Collection of Persons Distinguished in Professional and Political Life, Leaders in the Commerce and Industry of Canada, and Successful Pioneers

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

57724

Title

A Cyclopaedia of Canadian Biography: Being Chiefly Men of the Time / A Collection of Persons Distinguished in Professional and Political Life, Leaders in the Commerce and Industry of Canada, and Successful Pioneers

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Edited by George MacLean Rose, this 1888 volume chronicles the lives of Canada's distinguished pioneers, professionals, and political leaders. Rejecting the notion that biography belongs solely to politicians, it honors engineers, merchants, clergy, and farmers who built the nation. A comprehensive historical record celebrating the moral, intellectual, and industrial growth of the country.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1888 and edited by George MacLean Rose, *A Cyclopaedia of Canadian Biography* stands as a deliberate expansion of biographical literature beyond the traditional focus on political figures. Rose's preface argues that history must record the 'heroism and uncomplaining industry' of those who transformed the wilderness into thriving cities, rather than omitting them to focus solely on later politicians. The work profiles a diverse array of 'Representative Canadians,' including successful lumbermen, clergy, judges, doctors, and educators, offering an accurate, verified account of the period's moral, intellectual, and industrial growth. The volume highlights the complex lives of individuals who balanced business success with civic duty. For instance, James Carswell of Renfrew is depicted not merely as a wealthy lumberman but as a 'gentleman farmer' who cultivated large estates, donated land for recreation, and served his community through the Agricultural Society while declining high political office. Similarly, the biography of John Norquay, the mixed-heritage Premier of Manitoba, illustrates the challenges of navigating complex political landscapes in the post-Riel Rebellion era. Norquay's leadership is credited with guiding Manitoba from a straggling settlement to a province of significant industrial development, particularly through his vigorous advocacy for railway expansion. The collection also preserves the legacies of religious figures like Rev. Isaac Brock, who served across the British Empire from Ireland to Nova Scotia, and details the legal and civic struggles of the time, such as the contentious battles over municipal governance in Quebec where elected officials faced attempts to replace them with government appointees. By meticulously verifying dates and facts, Rose ensures that the names and deeds of worthy citizens are saved from oblivion. Ultimately, the cyclopaedia serves as a comprehensive historical record, asserting that the aggregate record of ordinary yet industrious citizens provides a full and accurate history of a young nation in transition.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• Dictionaries